Final Population Data of Nepal 2078 B.S/ 2021 A.D Made Public

Kathmandu, 24 March 2079: Today, the final results of the 2078 B.S./ 2021 A.D National Population Census are made public. In a ceremony held at Soaltee Hotel, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal revealed the final results of the 2078 National Population Census.

According to the National Population Census of 2078 (Reference Day for the Census: Mangsir 7, 2078), the population of Nepal is 2,91,64,578. Of which there are 1 crore 42 lakh 53 thousand 551 males (48.98 percent) and 1 crore 49 lakh 11 thousand 27 females (51.02 percent). Therefore, the gender ratio, or the number of women to one hundred men, is 95.59.

According to the most recent census in 2068, the population was 2,64,94,504, and the gender ratio was 94.16.

The National Planning Association gathered the 2078 census from 25th Kartik to 9th Mangsir 2078 for the Statistics Department. Last year, the preliminary results were made public in Magh. According to the preliminary report, the total population was 2,91,92,480. Nepal conducts a national population census once every 10 years.

According to the National Census of 2078, the number of other genders (sexual minorities) is 2,092 individuals, or 0.01 percent of the total population.

The average annual growth rate of the population throughout the census period is 0.92 percent per year, compared to 1.35 percent per year in the 2068 census.

According to the district-by-district research, Bhaktapur district had the highest average annual population growth (3.35 percent), while Ramechhap district had the lowest average annual population growth (1.67 percent).

The population density (population per square kilometer) is 198 people per square kilometer, compared to 180 people per square kilometer in 2068.

The population density in the Terai region is 460 people per square kilometer, whereas the population density in the mountains is 34 people per square kilometer. The most populous district is Kathmandu (5,169 inhabitants per square kilometer), and the least populous is Manang (3 people per square km).

According to the 2078 Census, there are 66 lakh and 66 thousand 937 families living in the country. Of which there are 66 lakh, 60 thousand 84 individual families, and 6 thousand 96 institutional families. The average household size has decreased to 4.37 persons from 4.88 members in 2068.

According to the 2078 census, Bagmati Province has the largest population. Bagmati province includes 20.97% of the total population or 61,20,000 people. After then, the population of Madhesh province is 61 lakh 10 thousand. Karnali is the province with the smallest population. 5.79 percent of the total population resides in Karnali.

In 2078, the average number of family members in the Himalayas is 4.33; in the mountains, it is 3.99, and in the Terai, it is 4.73. Family size is greatest in the district of Rautahat (5.94) and lowest in the districts of Gorkha and Dolakha (3.49). The total number of families in the 2068 census was 54 lakh 27 thousand 302.

Source: CBS, 2023

According to the 2078 census, the rural municipality is home to 66.1% of the people, while the urban municipality is home to 33.8%. According to the 2068 census, 63.19 percent of the population resided in rural areas, while 36.81 percent resided in urban municipalities.

53.61 percent of the total population (1 crore 56 lakh 34 thousand six people) resides in Terai, 40.31 percent (1 crore 17 lakh 57 thousand 624 people) in the mountains, and 6.08 percent (17 lakh 72 thousand 948 people) in the Himalayas.

Regarding population distribution among the provinces, Bagmati province has the highest population at 20.97%, while Karnali province has the lowest population at 5.79%. Kathmandu is the most populous district in Nepal, with 41,587 people, while Manang is the least populous (5 thousand 658 people).

• Download Nepal’s Population Final Report as per Census 2021 for your research

Economically Inactive Population of Nepal According to Census 2078 Final Data

The number of Nepalis living without work or looking for work has risen to 82 lakh 11 thousand 12. This represents 34.3 percent of the 2 billion 39 million 58 thousand 868 economically active people. According to the public results of the National Census 078 released on Friday, 39.5 percent of women and 28.6 percent of men in Nepal are economically inactive among people aged 10 and up (economically active).

In Madhesh, 22 lakh 19 thousand 567 people (46.5 percent) are economically inactive. Following that, it was discovered that 20 lakh 13 thousand 995 Bagmati residents were not engaged in any financial work. “The majority of them, 46.9 percent, are not working because they are students,” according to the Census data booklet, “and they are not working financially due to household chores, family care, old age, disability/sickness, and other reasons.”

Nepal has 42 lakh 63 thousand students, according to census results. The number of people who are only allowed to do housework and no outdoor financial work is 19 lakh 67 thousand 486, or 21.9 percent. 11 Percent of people do not work economically because of old age, and 7.5 percent are family caregivers. The disability/sickness rate is 2.5 percent, and the pension/disability rate is 2.2 percent.

People aged 10 and up who have done any economic work for any period or are looking for any economic work are included in the economically active population at the time of the census. Persons who did no economic work and did not seek economic work during the reference period are classified as inactive.

It was discovered that 93.05 percent of the 1 crore 270 thousand 447 are frequently economically active, while 6.95 percent are frequently unemployed. The total number of people engaged in economic work is 14,983,310. Agriculture is the economic occupation most or half of the country’s population chooses. According to the census, the country has 50.1 percent of skilled agriculture, forestry, and fisheries workers.

Following this, it was found that 23% of general or primary occupation workers, 5.6 % of service and goods sales workers, and 5.1 % of managers. Even when economic work is classified by industrial sector, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries employ 85 lakh 86 thousand people.

Because agriculture provides a living for half of the country’s population, the government has been slow to promote this industry. Farmers have not received adequate services such as fertilizers, seeds, technology, irrigation, subsidized loans, and the pricing of produced goods. 55.3 percent of those who worked economically during the census reference period were self-employed. This means 82 lakh, 92 thousand 45 people in Nepal are economically active and own businesses. Looking at the provinces, Karnali has the highest proportion of self-employed people (65.6%), while Madhesh has the lowest (49%).

Self-employment affects 59% of women and 52% of men. There are 42 lakh 92 thousand job seekers in the country. 34.7 percent are male, while 21.9 percent are female. Two hundred and twelve thousand people have found work. There are 21 lakh 75 thousand 380 people who assist the family financially.

When considering the institutional sector of economic work, the household sector employs the greatest number of people, 92 lakh 60 thousand, or 61.8 percent. In Nepal, 32.7 percent of people work in non-profit organizations, and 3.9 percent work for the government. Financial institutions employ 1.1 percent of the workforce, or 1 lakh 63 thousand people. The country’s total population is 2 crore, 91 lakh, 64 thousand 578 people. Of which 1 crore 49 lakh 11 thousand 27 (51.02 percent) are women and 1 crore 42 lakh 53 thousand 551 are men (48.98 percent).

Although Nepal is a multi-ethnic, multilingual, and multi-religious, the census excludes caste, language, and religion data. According to the National Statistics Office, the data will be released after four months due to disagreements over language and religion. Only the total population and gender ratio from the first national census conducted after the formation of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal was made public.

Personal details of more than five years, including name, surname, caste/ethnicity, sex, birth certificate, age, ancestral language, mother tongue, second language, and religion, were requested under the slogan “My Census, My Participation.” However, caste, language, and religion statistics were not made public.

According to the 2068 census, the country had 125 castes, 123 languages, and 10 religious communities. If data on caste, language, and religion are not made public, the government at all three levels will be hampered in implementing upliftment and development programs for the target communities. The age group of 15 to 59 years accounts for 61.96 percent of the total population. This is a productive population. The population under 14 is 27.83 percent, while the population over 60 is 10.21 percent. The annual average population growth rate is 0.92 percent. The growth rate in the 2068 census was 1.35, which is 0.92 in 2078. The highest population growth rate is 3.35 percent in Bhaktapur, and the lowest is minus 1.67 percent in Ramechhap.

Number of Families According to Final Population Data of Census 2078

The total number of families is 66 lakh 66 thousand 937. The number of families has increased by 23% since the last census. Individual families number 66 lakh 60 thousand 841 while institutional families number 6 thousand 96. A typical family has 4 to 5 members. Mountains comprise 6.08 percent of the total population, or 17 lakh 72 thousand 948 people. The hills have 40.31 percent of the population (1 crore 17 lakh 57 thousand 624 people), and the plains have 53.61 percent (1 crore 56 lakh 34 thousand 6 people).

Provincial Population Distribution According to Final Population Data of Census 2078

The population of Koshi province is 17.01 percent, Madhesh province is 20.97 percent, and Bagmati province is 20.97 percent. Similarly, the population of Gandaki province is 8.46 percent, that of Lumbini province is 17.56 percent, that of Karnali province is 5.79 percent, and that of Sudurpaschim province is 9.24 percent. There are 293 and 460 rural municipalities in the country’s 753 local levels. The municipality’s population is 66.17 percent and 33.83 percent in the rural municipality. The population of Kathmandu metropolis is 862,400, while the population of Thulieveri municipality is 9,861. Similarly, Baijnath Rural Municipality has the highest population of 69,472 and Narpabhumi Rural Municipality has the lowest population of 396.

Population Living Abroad According to Final Population Data of Census 2078

21 lakh 90 thousand 592 people are working and studying abroad. 82.2 percent are men, while 17.8 percent are women. There is no information on those who have left the country. The number of Nepalese who have been separated from their families has increased by 269,098 in the last ten years. According to Census 2078 data released on Friday, 21 lakh 90 thousand 592 people from 15 lakh 55 thousand 961 families are absent and frequently live abroad.

There were 17,99,675 men (82.2 percent) and 3,90,917 women (17.8 percent). According to the census of 2068, 19 lakh 21 thousand 494 people were away from their families and frequently lived abroad.

Population Growth Rate According to Final Population Data of Census 2078

The population growth rate in 34 districts is negative. Ramechhap, Khotang, Manang, Bhojpur, Tehrathum, Syangja, Gulmi, Acham, Parbat, Arghakhanchi, Panchthar, Sindhupalchok, Dhankuta, Dolakha, Gorkha, Baglung, and Lamjung are among them. Similarly, the population growth rate in Palpa, Myagdi, Okhaldhunga, Taplejung, Nuwakot, Kavrepalanchok, Ilam, Dailekh, Baitadi, Doti, Dhading, Bajhang, Dadeldhura, Salyan, Solukhumbu, Tanahun, and Sankhuwasabha is negative. The National Population growth rate is 0.92% Per Annum. This indicates it will take approximately 76 years to double Nepal’s population.

Demographic Measures According to Final Population Data of Census 2078

The maternal and infant mortality rate is 151 per 100,000. Twelve percent of married women between 15 and 49 have had a stillborn child. 12 percent (7 lakh 36 thousand 499) of 61 lakh 45 thousand 39 married women aged 15-49 had a stillborn child. The proportion of married women giving birth to two live babies is 33%, while the proportion of women giving birth to one live baby is 23.1 percent. According to census data, “a total of 61 lakh 45 thousand 39 married women aged 15-49 have given birth to 127 lakh 99 thousand 69 children so far, of which 52.7 percent are sons and 47.3 percent are daughters.” 3.2 percent of all live births died. Boys comprise 57.6 percent of dead infants, while girls comprise 42.4 percent.

Women constitute 31.55 percent of the 66 lakh 66 thousand 937 families. The census results show a 5.82 percent increase from 2068. 86 percent of all families own their own homes. Wood/firewood is used by 51% of all families for cooking. 92.2 percent of households use electricity. 57 percent use tap/pipe, 29.8 percent tubewell/hand pump, 1.5 percent well/well, 3.9 percent mains water, and 4.6 percent jar/bottle water. 95.5 percent used the toilet.

Literacy and Education According to Final Population Data of Census 2078

Nepal’s overall literacy rate has increased to 76.3 percent. The male literacy rate is 83.6 percent, and the female literacy rate is 69.4 percent. The literacy rate in the 2068 census was 65.9 percent.

The majority of Nepalese higher education students are interested in the management field. According to the final results of the National Census-2078, the majority of people, 35.1 percent, have studied the management field. People who studied Education come in second with 29.9 percent, followed by people who studied humanities and social sciences with 11.5 percent.

Those studying Science, Health/Medicine, Engineering, Computer/Information Technology, Law, Agriculture, Forestry, and Animal Science/Veterinary/Fisheries account for 7.1 percent, 4.4 percent, 3.0 percent, 1.2 percent, and 0 percent, respectively.

At least 19.5 percent of the population is 12^th Pass. When gender is considered, the majority of males (36.9%) have studied management, while the majority of females (36.1%) have studied pedagogy. Women and men study humanities and social sciences equally (11.6%).

Smartphones and Personal Vehicle Users According to Final Population Data of Census 2078

In Nepal, smartphones are available to 73% of the population. According to the results of the National Census 2078, released on Friday, 73 percent of Nepalese people own a smart mobile phone. Ordinary mobile phones are available to 73.2 percent of the population.

A question with 14 options, including radio, television, landline, mobile phone, computer, internet, and vehicle, was asked in the census to collect information about the facilities and services available to every family in the country. According to the data, 3.9 percent of families do not have any facility, while 96.1 percent have access to some kind of equipment.

According to the report, only 49.4 percent of Nepalese have access to television, while 34.2 percent listen to the radio. 15 percent of Nepalese own a computer, and 37.8 percent have Internet access.

Sexual and gender minorities According to Final Population Data of Census 2078

According to census data, there are 2 thousand 928 people of gender and minorities in the country. This represents 0.001% of the total population. Wagmati province has the highest percentage (32.7%), and Karnali province has the lowest (2.8%).

Some form of disability affects 2.2 percent of the total population. Based on the total population, 2.5 percent of men and 2% of women have disabilities, according to the census. There are 351 thousand 301 men and 293 thousand 443 women among them. The census questionnaire mentions twelve different types of disabilities. Physical disabilities include low vision, total blindness, deafness, hearing loss, hearing impairment, voice and speech, mental or psychosocial disabilities, intellectual disabilities, hereditary bleeding (hemophilia), autism, and multiple disabilities.

The census results do not include any information about refugees. During the census, those who had obtained the refugee identity card refused to give it up, claiming that the Nepalese government had not assisted them, so why should they? Tibetans and other refugees have been living in Kathmandu Valley’s Swayambhu, Buddhist, and Kantakuna districts.

No Information Regarding Lipulek in the latest Census 2078

It is connected to Changru and Tinker of Vyas Rural Municipality-1 of Mahakalipari Darchula, Kalapani and Lipulek lands. The census was not conducted in that area after 2018. Despite the government’s introduction of the new ‘Chuchche map’ of Nepal, houses and households could not be listed in the Kalapani and Lipulek areas beyond Mahakali, which are included in the Beaked (Chuchche) map. According to the National Statistics Office, traveling through India is required to reach the area. The Indian Armed Police Border Outpost (BOP) refused to allow the representative to collect census data.

LP Gas Cylinder Users According to Final Population Data of Census 2078

In the last ten years, the number of families using gas for cooking has increased. According to the National Census 2078, 44.3 percent of families cook with LP gas, released on Friday. According to the National Census 2068, approximately 30% of families used LP gas.

According to the census of 2078, most LP gas users live in Bagmati province. Gas is used by 69 percent of Bagmati’s families (10 lakh, 94 thousand 195). Similarly, 51.1 percent of Gandaki families and 42.2 percent of Lumbini families use LP gas. Karnali province uses the least amount of gas. According to the Census 2078 report, only 16.9 percent of Karnali families use gas.

3% of children are separated from their parents

According to statistics, 3% of Nepalese children are forced to live apart from both of their parents. According to the twelfth national census results in 2078, there are 9,869,583 children under eighteen. Three percent of these children are not living with both parents.

Both parents live with their children in 77.9% of cases. The percentage of children who live solely with their mother is 17.1%, while the percentage of children who live solely with their father is 1%. Some children who have been separated from their parents live with relatives or relatives, while others work in hazardous and domestic labor.

Key Results of National Population Census of Nepal Final Report 2021/ 2078 B.S

1. Population:

The total population of Nepal as of the census day (November 25, 2021) is 29,164,578, with 14,253,551 males (48.98%) and 14,911,027 females (51.02%). As a result, the sex ratio is 95.59 males for every 100 females. In 2011, the total population was 26,494,504, with a male-to-female ratio of 94.16.

2. Population of other genders:

In the first phase of census fieldwork in 2021, information about the total number of males, females, and ‘other gender’ (sexual and gender minorities) usually living in households was collected using the house and household listing form. As a result, 2,928 people (0.01 percent of the total population) are classified as ‘other gender.’

However, in the main questionnaire, the details of the individuals from this community were classified as male or female based on their biological sex. The highest number (32.7%) of those who reported as ‘other gender’ are in Bagmati province, while the lowest (2.8%) are in Karnali province. In Madhesh, Lumbini, Koshi, Gandaki, and Sudur Pashchim provinces, this community accounts for 24.9, 14.8, 10.4, 7.8, and 6.8 percent of the total ‘other gender’ population.

3. Annual average population growth rate:

According to Census 2021, the annual average population growth rate is 0.92 percent. In 2011, this rate was 1.35 percent. Bhaktapur has the highest annual average population growth rate (3.35%), while Ramechhap has the lowest (-1.67%).

4. Population density:

In 2021, the population density (number of people per square kilometer of area) is 198, up from 180 in 2011. The Tarai region has the highest population density (460), and the Mountain region has the lowest (34). Kathmandu district has the highest population density (5,169), while Manang district has the lowest (3).

5. Population by broad age group:

According to the 2021 census, 61.96 percent of Nepal’s total population is between the ages of 15 and 59. In 2011, this age group made up 56.96 percent of the population. Currently, 27.83 percent of the population is 14 years or younger, and 10.21 percent is 60 years or older.

6. Households:

The total number of households has increased by 23 percent, from 5,427,302 in 2011 to 6,666,937 in 2021. In 2021, the total number of conventional (non-institutional) households will be 6,660,841, up from 5,423,297 in 2011.

7. Average household size:

According to the 2021 census, the average household size is 4.37 people, up from 4.88 in 2011. According to the ecological belt, the average household size in the Mountain region is 4.33 people, 3.99 in the Hill region, and 4.73 in the Tarai region. The average household size in the Rautahat district is 5.94, while it is 3.49 in Gorkha and Dolakha districts.

8. Population of urban and rural municipalities:

According to the 2021 census, the population of urban municipalities reached 66.17 percent, while the population of rural municipalities reached 33.83 percent. The population in urban and rural municipalities was 63.19 percent and 36.81 percent, respectively, after reallocating the 2011 census population according to the federal structure. The sex ratio of the population in urban municipalities was 95.89 in 2011, but it remained at 96.06 in 2021, while it has increased from 91.27 to 95.59 in rural municipalities.

9. Highest and lowest population districts:

Kathmandu district has the highest population (2,041,587 people), and Manang district has the lowest population (5,658 people) of the country’s 77 districts. In that order, Morang, Rupandehi, Jhapa, and Sunsari are the second, third, fourth, and fifth most populous districts. Mustang, Dolpa, Rasuwa, and Humla are the second, third, fourth, and fifth most populous districts, in that order.

10. Population by ecological belt:

According to the 2021 census, the Tarai region has 53.61 percent (15,634,006 people), the Hill region has 40.31 percent (11,757,624 people), and the Mountain region has 6.08 percent (1,772,948 people). In the 2011 Census, the Tarai region had 50.27 percent (13,318,705 people), the Hill region had 43.01 percent (11,394,007 people), and the Mountain region had 6.73 percent (1,781,792 people).

11. Population distribution by province:

The population distribution by the province in 2021 shows that Bagmati province has the highest population share (20.97%), and Karnali province has the lowest (5.79%). Madhesh province has the second highest population. Similarly, in terms of population size in 2021, Koshi, Lumbini, Sudurpaschim, and Gandaki Provinces rank third, fourth, fifth, and sixth, respectively.

12. Number of building structures by main use:

In the 2021 census, all building structures in the country were counted for the first time. Building structures are classified into 12 different types based on their primary use. The primary use is the one for which the majority of the structure is designed.

There are a total of 75,52,066 building structures in the country, with 71.7 percent primarily used for residence, 10.1 percent for shed or storage, 6.3 percent vacant, 3.1 percent for business/trade, 1.1 percent for educational purposes, 0.4 percent for industry/manufacturing establishment, 0.4 percent for institutional use, 0.4 percent for government, 0.3 percent for hotel and lodge, 0.2 percent for health-related purposes, and 0.1 percent for banking and finance.

In Lumbini province, 75 percent of the buildings and 68 percent of the buildings in Sudur Pashchim province were used primarily for residential purposes.

13. Housing unit ownership:

In 2021, 86.0 percent of the total 6,660,841 conventional households resided in their own housing units, while 12.8 percent resided in rented housing units. The proportions of households residing in their own housing units and rented housing units in the 2011 census were 85.3 percent and 12.8 percent, respectively. According to the census of 2021, 0.6 percent of households reside in institutional housing units, while 0.7 percent reside in other types of housing units.

14. Primary source of drinking water:

According to the 2021 census, tap/piped water (inside and outside household premises combined) is the primary source of drinking water for 57.0 percent of all households (6,660,841). Other major sources of drinking water for households include well/hand pump (29.8%), jar/bottled water (4.6%), spout (3.9%), uncovered well/kuwa (2.1%), covered well/kuwa (1.5%), and river/stream (0.4%). According to the 2011 census, tap/piped water was the primary source of drinking water for 47.8 percent of total households (5,423,297), while tube well/hand pump was the primary source of drinking water for 35.1 percent of total households.

15. Primary source of cooking fuel:

According to the 2021 census, more than half (51%) of all households in the country use wood/firewood as their primary source of cooking fuel. Other major sources of cooking fuel include liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) 44.3%, cow dung 2.9%, biogas 1.2%, electricity 0.5%, kerosene 0.05% and other 0.1% of total households. According to the 2011 census, 64.0 percent of all households used wood/firewood for cooking.

16. Primary source of lighting:

According to the Census 2021, most households use electricity as their primary lighting source. The proportion of households that use electricity as their primary source of lighting has risen from 67.3 percent in 2011 to 92.2 percent in 2021. Other common lighting sources include solar energy (6.6%), kerosene (0.6%), and other sources (0.6% of households in 2021). In 2011, the percentages of households using kerosene, solar, and other lighting sources were 18.3, 7.4, and 6.1, respectively.

17. Household assets/amenities:

According to the 2021 census results, 3.88 percent of total households lack any household assets/amenities, while 96.12 percent of households have at least one household asset/amenity. Ordinary mobile phones are owned by 73.15 percent of households, while smart mobile phones are owned by 72.94 percent of households. Other assets/amenities available in households include an electric fan 53.1%, a television 49.37%, an internet facility 37.72%, a bicycle 35.21%, a motorcycle/scooter 27.3%, a refrigerator 23.7%, a computer/laptop 15%, a washing machine 4.2%, and a car/jeep/van 3.1%.

18. Toilet facility:

95.5 percent of the 6,660,841 conventional households (excluding institutional households) enumerated in the 2021 census use one or more types of toilet facilities, while 4.5 percent do not have access to any toilet facility. According to the 2011 census, 38.2 percent of households lacked toilet access.

19. Female house and land ownership:

Overall, 23.8 percent of total households own land or a housing unit or both (land & housing unit) in the name of a female household member. The percentage of households with female ownership of both land and housing unit is 11.8 percent, a 1.1 percent point increase from 2011.

20. Number of households running small-scale businesses other than agriculture:

According to census data, there are 6,27,887 (9.4%) households running small-scale businesses other than agriculture with no paid employees. Among such households, 137,644 (21.9%) run cottage industries, 310,651 (49.5%) trade/business, 34,656 (5.5%) run transportation, 69,177 (11%) run service-related businesses, 75,559 (12%) run other types of such small-scale enterprises in the country, with men running 55 percent and women running 45 percent. The provinces with the highest and lowest numbers of such enterprises are Bagmati (153,522 (24.5%) and Karnali (32,463 (5.2%) households, respectively.

21. Population of absentees abroad:

According to the 2021 census, a total of 2,190,592 people from 1,555,961 households (23.4%) are absent and living abroad. The total number of absentees living abroad is 1,799,675 (82.2%) male and 390,917 (17.8%) female. In 2011, 1,921,494 people from 1,378,678 (25.4%) households were absent abroad, with males accounting for 87.6% and females accounting for 12.4%.

22. Female household head:

Overall, 31.55 percent of total households (6,666,937) are headed by a woman, a 5.82 percent increase since 2011.

23. Marital status:

According to the 2021 census, 33.1 percent of the total population aged 10 and up has never married. Unmarried men account for 38.2 percent of all males and 28.4 percent of all females aged 10 and up. Similarly, 61.8 percent of the total population aged 10 and up is married, while 4.5 percent is a widow/widower. By gender, 59.1 percent of males and 64.3 percent of females in this age group are married.

24. Age at first marriage:

According to the 2021 census, 34.4 percent (Male: 32.6% and Female: 35.9%) of the ever-married population aged 10 and up married between the ages of 18 and 20. Similarly, 22.3 percent (Male: 12.3%; Female: 30.4%) of them married for the first time between the ages of 15 and 17. Furthermore, 7% (Male: 3.0% and Female: 10.2%) of them married for the first time between the ages of 10 and 14 years. Some of them (0.3%) married for the first time before reaching the age of ten. The average age at first marriage is 19 years. The average age at first marriage is 21 years for men and 18 years for women.

25. Disability:

According to the 2021 census, 2.2 percent of the total population has one or more types of disabilities. Males account for 54.2 percent of all disabled people, while females account for 45.8 percent. According to the 2011 Census, 1.94 percent of the total population had one or more types of disabilities.

26. Literacy rate:

According to the 2021 census, the literacy rate of the country’s total population aged 5 and up is 76.3 percent. The male literacy rate is 83.6 percent, while the female literacy rate is 69.4 percent. According to the 2011 census, the overall literacy rate was 65.9 percent, with male literacy at 75.1 percent and female literacy at 57.4 percent.

27. Education level attained:

Most (28.7%) of the literate population has completed primary school (classes 1–5). Similarly, 19.9 percent of the total literate population has completed lower secondary level (class 6–8), with 9.5 percent having completed S.L.C. (or equivalent). Similarly, 19.5 percent have completed higher levels of education (above S.L.C. or equivalent).

28. Population by place of birth:

69 percent of the total population has their birthplace and current residence in the same municipality. The current residence is the birthplace of 78.3 percent of males and 60 percent of females. Overall, 9% of the total population was born in a municipality other than the district of current residence, 19.5 percent was born in another district, and 2.5 percent was born abroad.

29. Population by former place of residence for current migration:

In total, 68 percent of the population has their usual place of former residence in the same location where they were enumerated. This equates to 77.0 percent for men and 59.4 percent for women. On the other hand, 10.7 percent of the total population had their former usual place of residence in another municipality of the respective district, 18.2 percent had their former residence in another district, and 3.1 percent had their former residence abroad.

30. Population at the current place of residence by the duration of last migration:

Of the total 9,341,408 people who currently migrated, the d Similarly, 4.0 percent of total migrants have been displaced for more than 50 years. Similarly, in terms of sex, the duration of the last migration is 10-24 years for 29.1 percent of males and 33.3 percent of females.

31. Reasons for current migration:

Marriage accounts for 38.2 percent of all current migration. Work/job (15.2%), trade/business (2.8%), study/training (7.8%), dependent family member (19.5%), natural disaster (0.7%), agriculture (3.9%), returnee (4.1%), and other (6.6%) are the other reasons for current migration. By gender, 30.6 percent of male migrants migrated for work/jobs, while 58.2 percent of female migrants migrated for marriage.

32. Fertility status (children Ever Born):

According to the 2021 census, 12.0 percent of all ever-married women aged 15-49 (6,145,039) do not have any children. The percentage of ever-married women aged 15-49 who have had two children is the highest, at 33%. Similarly, 23.1 percent of all ever-married women aged 15-49 have had one child, while 0.1 percent of women have had nine or more children.

As of the census date, a total of 6,145,039 ever-married women aged 15-49 had given birth to 12,799,969 children. Males account for 52.7 percent of all children born, while females account for 47.3 percent.

According to the data, 3.2 percent of all children born alive have died. Males make up 57.6 percent of the children who died, while females make up 42.4 percent.

33. Current fertility:

A total of 412,935 children were born in the 12 months preceding the census, with males accounting for 218,074 (52.8%) and females accounting for 194,861 (47.2%). Among all children born in the 12 months preceding the census, 36.8 percent were born to women aged 20-24 years.

34. Maternal mortality:

According to the National Population Census 2021, 653 (5 percent) of the total 12,976 female deaths from the fertility age group (15-49 years) in the last 12 months preceding the day of enumeration were related to pregnancy. Verbal autopsies conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Population revealed that 622 (95 percent) of pregnancy-related deaths were caused by maternal mortality. During the same period, 412,935 live babies were born from the same age group of mothers. The maternal mortality ratio is 151, according to this (a total of 151 deaths of mothers per 100 thousand live births).

35. Children’s living arrangements:

Of the total 9,869,583 children (people under 18), 77.9% live with both parents (father and mother), 17.1% live with their mother, 1% live with their father, and 3% live with other relatives.

36. Duration of economic activities performed:

Of the 23,958,868 normally residing population in the country aged 10 years or older, 14,983,310 were engaged in any economic activity in the 12 months preceding the census. According to census data, 41 percent of people aged 10 and up worked for 6 months or more, 21.5 percent worked for less than 6 months, and 37.5 percent did not work during the reference period.

37. Economically active population:

Persons aged 10 and up who either performed any economic work for any length of time, regardless of whether they searched for work or not, or searched for work (part-time or full-time) if they had not performed any economic work in the previous 12 months preceding the census.

Persons who did not perform any economic work or look for work during the reference period are classified as economically inactive. Based on the above criteria, 15,689,777 people (65.5 percent) are classified as economically active, 8,211,012 people (34.3 percent) are classified as not economically active, and 58,079 people did not report their status.

38. Usually economically active population:

If a person’s total number of months actually worked and looked for work is greater than or equal to six months, the person is classified as usually economically active. On the other hand, a person with fewer than 6 months falls into the non-typically economically active population. According to this classification, 11,038,105 people (70.35 percent) of the total 15,689,777 economically active population are usually economically active, while 4,651,672 people (29.65 percent) are not usually economically active.

39. Usually employed population:

Among the total usually, economically active population, the usually employed population refers to those people whose working time is equal to or greater than their time off, whereas the usually unemployed population refers to those whose working time is less than their time off. According to the census of 2021, of the total 11,038,105 usually economically active population, 10,270,447 (93.05 percent) are usually employed, while 767,658 (6.95 percent) are usually unemployed.

40. Economically active population by the main occupation:

Among 14,983,310 people engaged in any economic activity during the reference period, agriculture, forestry, and fishery skilled workers have the highest share of people (50.1%), followed by elementary workers (23.0%), service and sales workers (5.8%), crafts and trade workers (5.6%), managers (5.1%), professionals (3.8%), plant and machine operators (2.7%), technician and associate professionals (1.7%). The occupation is classified using the Nepal Standard Classification of Occupations (NSOC).

41. Population economically active by main industry:

The Nepal Standard Industrial Classification of all economic activities has been used to code the industrial division of economic activities (NSIC). Agriculture, forestry, and fishing (57.3%); wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (12.5%); construction (8.1%); other service activities (3.9%), and manufacturing (3.8%) were the top five industries among 14,983,310 people engaged in any economic activity in the 12 months preceding the census.

42. Employment status of economically active population:

Of the 14,983,310 people aged 10 and up who performed any economic work in the 12 months preceding the census, the highest proportion worked as own account workers (55.3%), followed by employees (28.6%), contributing family members (14.5%), and employers (1.4%). Similarly, 0.1% of the population has not stated their employment status.

43. Economically active population by institutional sector:

The household sector accounts for 61.8 percent of the 14,983,310 people who worked in the 12 months preceding the census. This is followed by non-financial corporations, governments, financial corporations, and non-profit institutions that serve households, with 32.7%, 3.9%, 1.1%, and 0.4%, respectively. While 0.1% of respondents have not specified their institutional sector.

44. Reasons for not being economically active:

Of those aged 10 and up who were economically inactive (i.e., did not perform any economic work), 46.9 percent cited being a “student” as the primary reason for not working. Household chores (21.9%), the elderly (11.0%), family care (7.5%), disability/illness (2.5%), pensions (2.2%), social work/volunteer service (0.3%), and other reasons (7.4%).

45. Birth registration status of children aged 5 and under:

Of the 30,07,648 children aged 5 and under, 74% have registered their birth, while 26% remain unregistered. Male children outnumber females by 5.8 percentage points among registered children. Similarly, the registration rate in Mountain is 81.9%, Hill is 73.1%, and Tarai is 73.7%. Karnali province has the highest percentage of registered children (87.3%), while Bagmati province has the lowest (67%).

FAQs Regarding Population Data of Nepal 2078 B.S/ 2021 A.D 

1. What is the total population of Nepal according to the 2078 B.S./2021 A.D. census?
The total population of Nepal is 29,164,578, with 14,253,551 males (48.98%) and 14,911,027 females (51.02%).

2. What is the gender ratio in Nepal as per the 2078 census?
The sex ratio is 95.59 males for every 100 females.

3. How many people are classified as other genders (sexual and gender minorities) in Nepal?
There are 2,928 individuals, representing 0.01% of the total population.

4. What is the annual average population growth rate in Nepal?
The annual average population growth rate is 0.92% per year, compared to 1.35% in the 2068 census.

5. Which district has the highest and lowest population growth rates?
Bhaktapur has the highest growth rate at 3.35%, while Ramechhap has the lowest at -1.67%.

6. What is the population density in Nepal?
The national population density is 198 people per square kilometer. The Terai region has 460 people/km², the Hill region varies, and the Mountain region has 34 people/km².

7. Which district is the most and least populous?
Kathmandu is the most populous with 2,041,587 people, and Manang is the least populous with 5,658 people.

8. How many households are there in Nepal, and what is the average household size?
There are 6,666,937 households, with an average household size of 4.37 persons.

9. What is the population distribution by ecological belt?
Terai: 53.61%, Hill: 40.31%, Mountain: 6.08%.

10. Which province has the largest and smallest population?
Bagmati province has the largest population (20.97%), and Karnali province has the smallest (5.79%).

11. How many Nepalis live abroad?
A total of 2,190,592 people from 1,555,961 households are living abroad; 82.2% are men, and 17.8% are women.

12. What percentage of the population is economically active?
Among persons aged 10 and above, 65.5% (15,689,777 people) are economically active, while 34.3% are inactive.

13. What are the main occupations of economically active people?
50.1% work in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries; 23% are elementary workers; 5.8% in services/sales; 5.6% in crafts/trade; 5.1% as managers.

14. How many households run small-scale businesses other than agriculture?
There are 627,887 households (9.4%) running small-scale non-agricultural businesses.

15. What is the literacy rate in Nepal according to the 2078 census?
The overall literacy rate is 76.3%, with male literacy at 83.6% and female literacy at 69.4%.

16. How many children aged 5 and under have registered their birth?
Out of 3,007,648 children aged 5 and below, 74% are registered, while 26% remain unregistered.

17. What percentage of households use electricity and modern cooking fuel?
92.2% of households use electricity for lighting; 44.3% use LP gas, and 51% use wood/firewood for cooking.

18. How many children live without both parents?
3% of children under 18 (approximately 296,087 children) live without both parents.

19. What is the maternal mortality rate according to the census?
The maternal mortality ratio is 151 deaths per 100,000 live births.

20. What is the average age at first marriage in Nepal?
The average age at first marriage is 19 years overall, 21 years for men, and 18 years for women.

Theory of Optimum Population

The theory of optimum population is also called the modern theory of population. The economists who propounded this theory are Cannon, Carr Saunders, Robbins, and Dalton. According to Malthus, any kind of population growth is not good.

However, these economists do not fully agree with Malthus's view. According to them, population growth is not always harmful. Population growth becomes harmful only after reaching a certain stage. 

How much population is suitable for any country depends on the natural resources, technical knowledge, and capital available in that country.

The theory of optimum population divides population into three types as follows:

(a) Optimum Population: Optimum population is the size of the population of any country at which the per capita income of that country is maximum. In other words, optimum population is the size of the population which is neither more nor less than required but just right. If the population of the country is more or less than this, the per capita income of the country decreases. Optimum population depends on the resources available in the country.

(b) Underpopulation: Underpopulation is when an increase in the population of any country also increases the per capita income. In other words, underpopulation is when the population is less than the optimum population. In this situation, the natural resources of the country are not fully utilized.

(c) Overpopulation: Overpopulation is when an increase in the population of any country decreases the per capita income. In other words, overpopulation is when the population is more than the optimum population. In this situation, the natural resources of the country have been fully utilized.

Among these three states of population, the first state is considered suitable because per capita income is maximum in this state. 

This can be clarified from the table and figure below:

Table on Optimum Population

Population (in lakhs)	Per Capita Income (Rs.)	Population Status
50	1000	Underpopulation
100	2000	Underpopulation
150	3000	Underpopulation
200	4000	Optimum Population
250	3000	Overpopulation
300	2000	Overpopulation
350	1000	Overpopulation

In the table above, when the population of a country increases from 50 lakhs to 100 lakhs and 150 lakhs, the per capita income of that country also increases from one thousand to two thousand and from two thousand to three thousand respectively. Thus, the state where per capita income increases with increasing population is the state of underpopulation. 

When the population is 200 lakhs or 2 crores, the per capita income is Rs. 4,000, which is the maximum per capita income. Therefore, this is the state of optimum population. If the population increases beyond this, the per capita income starts to decrease. 

For example, in the table, when the population is 2 crore 50 lakhs, 3 crores, and 3 crore 50 lakhs, the per capita income decreases to Rs. 3,000, Rs. 2,000, and Rs. 1,000 respectively. This state is the state of overpopulation.

According to this above figure, 2 crore population is the optimum population. In this state, per capita income is maximum or Rs. 4,000. When the population is less or more than this, the per capita income is lower, for example, when the population is 150 lakhs, the per capita income is Rs. 3,000. 

Similarly, when the population is 250 lakhs, the per capita income is also Rs. 3,000. Therefore, point D in the figure is the point of optimum population. The state from point A to D is the state of underpopulation, and the state from point D to E is the state of overpopulation.

The size of the optimum population is not always constant. When resources, means, and technology increase, the size of the optimum population also increases, and when there is a decrease in resources, means, and technology, its size also decreases. 

The development of production technology and economic resources increases the size of the optimum population because more population is needed to utilize more resources. This theory makes only economic factors the main basis. 

From an economic point of view, a small population may be the optimum population in any country, but from a political point of view, a larger population may be more suitable.

Criticisms of the Theory of Optimum Population

1. Difficult to Determine Optimum Population
   The theory states that the optimum population is the population size at which per capita income is maximized. However, in reality, it is difficult to accurately determine the exact population level where this occurs. The optimum population is not fixed and changes over time due to technological advancements, economic conditions, and resource availability.

2. Ignores Non-Economic Factors
   The theory mainly focuses on economic factors such as per capita income and resource utilization while ignoring important non-economic factors such as social welfare, political stability, and environmental sustainability. A country may achieve high per capita income but still face issues like unequal wealth distribution and poor living conditions.

3. Assumption of Fixed Resources
   The theory assumes that the natural resources of a country are fixed, which is not always true. Resources can be discovered, developed, or depleted over time. Technological progress can increase resource efficiency, making it possible to sustain a larger population than previously thought.

4. Neglects Population Composition
   The theory considers the total population size but does not account for the age structure, skill level, and productivity of the population. A country with an optimum population in terms of numbers may still struggle economically if it has a high dependency ratio (too many children or elderly people) or a workforce lacking necessary skills.

5. Difficult to Apply in Policy-Making
   Even if a country determines an approximate optimum population, controlling population growth through policies is challenging. Population growth depends on multiple factors, including birth rates, migration, cultural beliefs, and government policies. Implementing policies to achieve the optimum population is complex and may face resistance from society.

Malthus's Population Theory

T.R. Malthus was the first economist to propound the theory of population. He was a clergyman from England.

He systematically propounded the population theory in his book "An Essay on the Principle of Population," published in 1798. The theory propounded by him is known as "Malthus's Population Theory."

In Malthus's words: "By nature, human population increases in a slow arithmetical ratio, while it increases in a rapid geometrical ratio unless stopped by want and vice."

At the time of Malthus, the population was increasing excessively in Britain and the rest of Europe, while agricultural production was declining. This caused people to face complex problems such as famine and epidemics.

This worried Malthus, which led him to study and write about population. In this theory, he studied the relationship between population and food supply and concluded that the population growth rate is higher than the food supply growth rate.

Features of Malthusian Theory of Population

The main elements of Malthus's population theory are as follows:

(a) Population Growth Rate: According to Malthus, if there is no hindrance, the population of any country increases in a geometrical ratio, i.e., the population growth follows the sequence 1:2:4:8:16:32. If the population is not controlled, the population of any country doubles every 25 years.

(b) Food Supply Growth Rate: According to Malthus, the food supply growth rate is slower than the population growth rate. Since the law of diminishing returns applies to agriculture, the food supply increases in an arithmetical ratio, i.e., the food supply growth follows the sequence 1:2:3:4:5:6.

(c) Imbalance between Population and Food Supply: According to Malthus, the population increases at a higher rate than the food supply. If arrangements are not made to stop population growth, the population will increase along with the increase in the means of subsistence, and after a certain time, the population growth will exceed the means of subsistence. Due to this imbalance, people will face many crises, such as famine, epidemics, floods, landslides, etc.

(d) Population Control: Malthus presented a pessimistic view to the world regarding the difficulties arising from this imbalance, saying that it is extremely necessary to control the population.

According to him, population can be controlled in the following two ways:

1. Natural or Positive Checks: Population and food supply are balanced by natural checks. In this method, nature increases the death rate through famine, floods, earthquakes, cholera, plague, etc., to control the population. However, this method is extremely painful.
2. Artificial or Preventive Checks: Natural checks are extremely painful. Therefore, to survive them, people must adopt preventive checks to reduce the population. Preventive checks are those adopted by humans. The purpose of this check is to reduce the birth rate and thus reduce the population. As methods of preventive checks, Malthus advised delaying marriage, practicing celibacy, and living a temperate life. An important point here is that since Malthus was a clergyman and a religious person, he did not say anything about modern methods of family planning in relation to preventive checks.

According to Malthus, if population growth is not stopped by artificial checks, nature will adopt its harsh methods. Therefore, he argued that it is essential for people to adopt artificial checks to avoid the suffering of natural checks.

The Malthusian Trap

The Malthusian Trap is a concept derived from Thomas Robert Malthus’s Theory of Population, which explains how population growth tends to outpace food production, leading to cycles of poverty, famine, and stagnation in economic development.

Malthus, in his book An Essay on the Principle of Population (1798), argued that:

1. Population grows exponentially (1, 2, 4, 8, 16…)

2. Food production grows arithmetically (1, 2, 3, 4, 5…)

Since population increases faster than food supply, there will come a point where food becomes insufficient, leading to crises such as famine, disease, and war, which act as natural checks on population growth.

The Malthusian Trap (Catastrophe)

The Malthusian Trap occurs when:

• Any economic or technological progress leads to higher living standards, which causes higher birth rates and lower death rates.

• This rapid population growth then reduces per capita food availability and resources, eventually pushing people back into poverty and hunger.

• The cycle continues, preventing long-term improvements in living standards.

Example of the Malthusian Trap

In pre-industrial societies, agricultural advancements temporarily improved food supply, but soon, the growing population consumed the extra resources, keeping most people at subsistence-level living.

Criticism and Relevance in today's world

• The Industrial Revolution helped many countries escape the Malthusian Trap by improving technology, increasing agricultural productivity, and lowering birth rates.

• Modern economists argue that human innovation, education, and policy changes can break the cycle predicted by Malthus.

Despite this, concerns about overpopulation, resource depletion, and environmental degradation suggest that some aspects of the Malthusian Trap remain relevant, particularly in developing nations facing food scarcity and economic challenges.

Criticism of Malthus's Population Theory

Modern economists have criticized Malthus's Population Theory as follows:

(a) Groundless Mathematical Formula: According to Malthus, population increases in a geometrical ratio and food supply increases in an arithmetical ratio, and if not controlled, the population of any country doubles in 25 years. However, since there is no example in world history to prove these things, we can call this formula groundless.

(b) One-sided View: According to Malthus, the population of any country depends on its food production. In reality, this view is one-sided and flawed. People in all countries do not depend only on agriculture. They also earn their livelihood from other industries besides agriculture.

(c) Pessimistic Theory: Malthus's Population Theory is pessimistic because it assumes that an increase in population is harmful in all circumstances. However, according to Professor Cannon, a child does not only come with a mouth to feed but also with two hands to work and mental capacity to think about improving production methods.

(d) Based on the Law of Diminishing Returns: Malthus's theory is based on the false assumption that the law of diminishing returns always applies to agriculture. However, as a result of scientific progress in agriculture, the law of increasing returns can also apply due to the use of improved seeds, chemical fertilizers, etc. Thus, this theory is flawed.

(e) Natural Disasters are not Indicators of Overpopulation: According to Malthus, natural disasters, i.e., when earthquakes occur, floods come, famines occur, and diseases like cholera and plague spread, it should be understood that there is overpopulation. However, these natural disasters can occur even when the population is small. Famine and infectious diseases are the result of inefficient production, unequal distribution, and lack of health services, not due to overpopulation.

Current status of Nepal's Population

Population report of Nepal as per National Census 2078 B.S (Preliminary report)

Nepal Ko Janasankhya 2078

Major highlights of National Population Census 2078 BS of Nepal, National Census 2078 | Nepal ko Janasankhya 2078

Census Report of Nepal 2078 | Census Data of Nepal 2078

• Total population of Nepal: (2,91,92,480) 2 crore, 91 lakhs, 92 thousand, 4 hundred and 80
• Male: 1,42,91,311 (48.96 percent)
• Female: 1 crore 49 lakh 1 thousand 169 (51.04 percent)
• Number of houses in Nepal: 5.643 million
• Number of families in Nepal: 67 lakh 61 thousand 059
• Census House to Family Ratio: 1: 1.20
• Number of families added in 10 years: 13 lakhs 33 thousand 5 hundred and 57

• Most of the population living abroad: 2,169,478
• Male living abroad: 17 lakh, 63 thousand, 3 hundred and 15 (81.28 percent).
• Female living abroad: 4 lakh 6 thousand 103 (18.72 percent)
• Percentage of women abroad: 71.09 percent
• Abroad from Terai: 10 lakhs 65 thousand 9 hundred 69
• Abroad from the hills: 9,84,896
• Abroad from the mountains: 1 lakh 18 thousand 6 hundred 13